Parquet is a very old form of flooring that uses small, usually rectangular, blocks of wood, which are pieced together like a mosaic to form a simple pattern. It became very popular in the 1950s and ’60s, and is now returning to popularity as people find reclaimed parquet flooring and re-lay it in their houses.
Finding evenly colored parquet flooring in perfect condition is not easy, as I discovered with this particular parquet. The warmth of the wood can also be unappealing for people who prefer a cool color as a backdrop to their rooms. After finding, cleaning up, and laying this old floor, I found it was, indeed, rather too yellowish, as well as too uneven in color and stained in places.
I was able to even out the differences with a wash of one color. A wash of paint means diluting the paint with water until it is translucent, so allowing the wood grain to show through. The paint wash can be as dilute as you wish, but you should test the strength of the color after you have applied the lacquer. This is because the application of lacquer reduces the opacity of the wash, so you may need to make the wash slightly more opaque to achieve your desired finished effect. Each floor will be different, so do a test patch before you begin, particularly with the final lacquer as this can draw out brown or yellow stains from the wood. If this happens, then an application of clear shellac is necessary before you begin.
I chose to do a wash of Paris Grey over the wood before lacquering it. Other paint-wash colors that would work well over the wood are Graphite, one of the whites, or Duck Egg Blue.
YOU WILL NEED
• Chalk Paint® in Paris Grey
• Pail (bucket)
• Large sponge
• Large flat brush
• Clean, dry, lint-free cloths
• Lacquer
• Large sponge roller
1Test the color of the Paris Grey wash with the lacquer over it on a small piece of spare wood (see Introduction above). When you are happy with the mix of paint and water, make a pail (bucket) of the mix and apply with the sponge, wiping and rubbing it all over the floor. When applying the paint mix, you need to be quick and decisive, and work on the floor in sections.
2After using the sponge to apply the paint, you may find that you need to spread the paint so that it is even. This will depend on the absorbency of the wood.
3Use the flat brush to get into the edges and corners of the room.
4To get an even effect on the floor, rub off any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
5Stir the lacquer well before using a large sponge roller to apply it all over the floor. Using a sponge roller ensures you have a thin coat. Use a flat brush to reach the edges, again applying only a thin coat. Once dry, apply a second coat of lacquer in the same way.
